Edward M. Warren, 82

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  Edward MacLean Warren will be remembered by his family and friends for the way he put others before himself, found humor and positivity in the face of great challenges, and shaped the lives of many as a spouse, father, grandfather, confidant, and mentor. He died on June 8, 2023, after a brief illness.

Ed was born on March 13, 1941 in Rochester, New York to Roy MacLean Warren and Edith Marion Gottschalk. After his father passed away when Ed was a child, he was raised by his stepfather, Charles Resler. As a child, Ed loved all sports, especially baseball and the Orioles, and dreamed of becoming a sports writer. After graduating from Monroe High School, he attended Williams College, where he remained an active alumnus throughout his life. He obtained a Masters degree in teaching from Harvard University before embarking on a career as an educator, holding various positions across New York, including history teacher and principal.

Ed met the love of his life, Judy Smith, while working together at West Irondequoit High School. As a young couple, they moved to Ballston Lake, New York, where they raised two daughters, Cathy and Amy. While raising their children, Ed worked hard to provide for the family, often working late and on the weekends refereeing college basketball games. Ed was a loyal community volunteer, serving as president of the local Rotary. He also served for many years on the board of the Charlton School, a therapeutic school for young women, including a term as chair.

After deciding to change professions in his mid-40s, Ed modeled resilience and an unmatched work ethic to his daughters. He spent the remainder of his career as a financial advisor, first with Albany Financial Group and then with MountainOne Financial in both Williamstown and North Adams, Massachusetts. He often took on the role of unofficial office mentor, introducing new team members and interns to the industry and the nuances of the profession.

Ed was slow to retire, first working part time while he spent time volunteering at both the Berkshire Botanical Garden and in the emergency room at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. When he finally fully retired, he spent even more time at Samaritan, comforting those who were scared or alone. Ed was also an avid collector of political memorabilia, especially that of Jimmy Carter and James Garfield, donating the latter to Williams College, as Garfield was also an alumnus.

As a prolific gardener, Ed grew most of his flowers and vegetables from seed in the basement before transplanting them each spring. The entire neighborhood enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

Ed’s daughter’s were the light of his life. He spent many, many hours on the sidelines of their field hockey and softball games (sometimes yelling at the refs) and swim meets. He started a tradition where each year he would take one daughter on a father/daughter trip of their choice, which landed him in destinations like Chincoteague Island, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati. Not surprisingly, Cathy and Amy followed closely in their father’s footsteps, both attending Williams College and becoming educators.

Marrying Judy gave Ed the brother (William A. Smith) and sister (Mary Smith) that he never had and their trips to visit them and their boys, Jason and Jarrad, over the years in Oregon provided all of them with some unforgettable memories and laughs.

Ed shared a remarkable life with Judy. They modeled respect, unconditional love, and unwavering support for each other and their daughters, all while maintaining a sense of humor. Ed and Judy loved exploring new areas, and often took day trips to Vermont or even Maine for a lobster roll. They traveled the world with their best friends, Ann and George Hammersla, and Carol and Saule Pilati. Ed, Judy, Ann, George, Carol and Saule are and were chosen family.

Ed loved and adored his daughter-in-law, Patricia, and son-in-law, Scott, also both educators. He was thrilled to become a grandfather first to his namesake, Maclean, and then to Harper, Graham, Sebastian, and Meredith. He was always up for a game of Rummi-Kub, a terrible dad joke, or sharing one of his many inspirational sayings (“Good, better, best!”).

Ed spent the last years of his life doing the things he loved best – gardening, volunteering, and flying to Chicago and California to see his kids and grandkids. And he never missed an episode of Jeopardy or Pardon the Interruption. Those who knew him will miss his unconditional love and support.

Private burial will be in Eastlawn cemetery in Williamstown, MA. Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to The Charlton School, P.O. Box 47, 322 Lake Hill Road, Burnt Hills, NY 12027. www.thecharltonschool.org To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com